Malliotakis pushes for abortion clinic inspections

Malliotakis pushes for abortion clinic inspections

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis says she was shocked by the findings of a report on abortion clinic inspections. Eagle photo by Paula Katinas

Says tanning salons are checked more often

By Paula Katinas

Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Charging that tanning salons are inspected more often than abortion clinics, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis is co-sponsoring legislation that would require the New York State health commissioner to check clinics at least once every two years.

The bill sponsored by Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island) and fellow Republican Assemblywoman Jane Corwin (R-C-Erie) would also require that a written report of each inspection be sent to the assembly and state senate.

The legislation would apply to abortion clinics overseen by New York State.

According to the New York Post report, only 45 routine inspections were conducted at the clinics during a 12-year period from 2000 to 2012. Eight of the facilities went through the entire 12-year period without a single visit from an inspector, the Post reported.

The Dept. of Health released the statistics in response to a Freedom of Information lawsuit filed by the Chiaroscuro Foundation, a pro-life organization.

But Malliotakis said her legislation is something even pro-choice residents can get behind. “Whether pro-choice or pro-life, we can all agree that the health and safety of women is paramount and this is an issue that needs to be addressed. It is the responsibility of the Department of Health to ensure the cleanliness and safety of these facilities by conducting regular inspections. It is shockingly disturbing that tanning salons are inspected more often than abortion clinics in our state,” Malliotakis said.

“As state lawmakers, ensuring the health and safety of our citizens is the top priority. We must make sure that women have safe and legal health care. It is disturbing to find out that so many facilities in our state have not been inspected over the last decade. It is imperative that we correct this and that the legislature takes action now,” Corwin said.

Greg Pfundstein, president of the Chiaroscuro Foundation, called New York “the abortion capital of America,” and said clinics in the state should be inspected on a regular basis.

“New York is the abortion capital of America, and its clinics are not being regulated. That's unconscionable. It doesn't matter whether you're pro-life, pro-choice or somewhere in between; the health of New York women is at risk every day these facilities are not inspected, and none of us should stand for it,” Pfundstein said.

May 12, 2014 - 4:09pm

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